A Night on the Town
Oh yes! We decided to go out yesterday evening having bought tickets to attend the local 'Voice of the Valley - Finals!' competition that was being held in a local Smithers establishment called the 'Alpenhorn Bistro - Bar'. It all happens in Smithers you know!

There were nine contestants who each had to sing two songs of their choice and there were four judges, including the local mayor. We arrived a bit before the performances started so as to have something to eat.

The openning song was a Neil Young number and although the singer was nervous and somewhat 'flat' in many places, we thought 'well, it's a start and it can only get better'. It didn't! In fact, when the second performer just really started howling (to our delicate ears) and was awarded an extra point for showing enthusiasm by jumping off the stage at one point, it started to feel like we had entered a parallel universe. The 3rd bloke brought his own microphone along and we thought he must be a more accomplished singer. Nope! 

They seemed to 'pull the plug' on the next performer as his mic stopped working. But he ploughed on anyway and I think he got extra points for showing professionalism in the face of adversity. 

So that was the first four contestants and the crowd were loving it which made it seem all that more weird. And although we were already thinking we might just walk out, Jan wanted to hear a woman sing and fortunately, the next contender was a woman. She sang 'I'll be your shoulder to cry on'. I'm not certain who sang this but I have Stevie Nicks in my head as the singing was sort of that dry low 'tone'. Except this rendition was ALL one tone and flat and I'm sure that was not quite how it should be sung? 

Anyway, at this stage we simply could not subject ourselves to any more so called for the bill. When the waitress asked 'please can I come home with you?', we knew we had made the right decision. She then said in rather an envious tone 'have a quiet night!'. We felt quite sorry for her actually as she would have to stay and listen to another 13 songs being completely destroyed.

Still, what can you say? The winner was fighting for a prize of 2 nights in Vancouver (to include accommodation!). Let's just hope nobody asks them to sing! 

The experience is one we will never quite forget - some Birthday eh!